Just in Time for Christmas?

The good news, I finished all my Christmas crafts in time for Christmas.  Yay!  The bad news, it took me until now to actually post any of them.  At least I don’t have to worry about anyone seeing their presents before Christmas.  Anyway, time to share all fruits of my labor.

First up is the ornaments, a yearly tradition for me.  I made two batches this year just like last year (see Christmas at Last?).

I got these clear ornaments last year at Walmart when they went on clearance.  I thought they might come in handy, just as soon as I figured out what to actually do with them.

With a mighty wad of fabric scraps, and the help of my niece…

---I created these ornaments.  Loosely filled with cute fabric scraps and then topped with holiday ribbon, also bought on clearrance last year.

For the second batch, I made use of this cute tutorial for felt coasters.  I’ve always thought they would make cute ornaments if made smaller and I was right.

They are made just like the tutorial except I cut the felt squares about 2 inches by 2 inches and I added a loop of ribbon in the top corner before sewing along the edge.  Finish off with a faux pearl in the center of the flowers and they’re ready for hanging.

Next up, scarves.  I bought a couple of fleece blankets on sale a while back, and rather than actually using them as blankets I thought up things I could make with them.  I came up with scarves, but not just any scarves.  Scarves with pockets, so you can use them to either keep your hands warm or keep you phone or what not handy.

Now the circle skirt, or in this case a half circle skirt.  I originally wanted to make a full circle skirt for someone, but then I went fabric shopping.  I discovered this lovely asian style fabric.  I thought it was perfect, but I thought because of the direction and design of the fabric it would look funny as a full circle skirt.

Then I remembered this tutorial for a half circle skirt.  It is actually quicker and easier to do, and it worked great for this fabric.  Yay!

Since I can’t make clothes without making matching accessories, I made a cute little kanzashi flower hair clip.  I thought this style would be fitting for the fabric pattern.

Now something a little silly.  I wanted to sew something cute for a couple of little boys, something that also wouldn’t seem too “girly” to at least one of them.  The solution: donut plushies. 

They are made of cream colored felt with blue icing and red and white sprinkles.  They were pretty easy to make once I figured out how to turn the body right side out.  If you look closely you will see a seam running  between the legs.  That’s the secret.

I opted to add eyes without a mouth.  It kind of looks like the donut hole is their mouth anyway.  It’s funnier that way.  Hope the kids enjoy them.

Now some doll clothes.  I already made a post about these here on my doll blog. 

Anyway, I made my ball jointed doll a dress coat with some white fleece I also got on sale last year.

I think it came out well except for a few little things.  First the way it bulges slightly at the top where it opens.  I suppose if it bothers me enought I could just add another snap to keep it closed.  T

he second is the way the collar sticks up, I can’t decide if I think it looks cute like that or not.  Then there’s the way the hem looks uneven in the photo.  It’s just the way it’s hanging though, the hem is perfect, maybe if I iron it?  Hmm.

Anyway, in adition to the coat I also made two doll sized hats.  A white beret to match the coat and a red stocking cap just for fun.

They both look adorable on my doll.  I opted not to add a pom pom to the stocking cap both out of laziness and versatiliity.  Because I used red felt to make the hat, it is stiff enought to wear pointed up or flopped down.  When pointed up it looks like a little knome hat which is super cute.

I also made my doll a pair of shoes and some tights, something I haven’t shown on my doll blog yet. 

The tights were made from an old pair of tights I had that got rust stains in unfortunate areas.  Sad because they were only worn once by me.  Anyway, now I can finally get some good use out of them.

The shoes are made from black felt with cardboard for the soles.  It took a great deal of time for me to design a pattern for them, but it was worth it.  I may post the pattern in the future if anyone is interested.

Now for the kit, a sewing kit.  I made several little sewing items for my 5 a Week Challenge (See 5 a Week: Needle Books and 5 a Week: Mini-Pin Cushions) and I thought I could use them to assemble a cute little sewing kit as a nice gift.  Just needed a pair of scissors, a measuring tape, and…

…a pretty pouch to hold it all.  I used the same fabric as the half circle skirt.

Just a simple pouch with a flap and a snap to keep it closed.  Came out really cute, enough to make me what to make more.  Maybe another day.

Now the final project, more skirts!  I enjoy sewing and wearing poufy pretty skirts and dresses, but they can be a bit chilly this time of year.  I’ve heard it mention multiple places online the idea of making and wearing an underskirt made from fleece or flannel.  Just the thing to keep your rear warm.

I decided to give it a try, so I whipped up these two skirts from white fleece.  I decided to use the half circle skirt tutorial again.  They came out great, so cute.  I still haven’t tried them out outside.  Hoping they will make a difference.

Here’s the updated list:

• Donuts
• Skirt
• Circle Skirt
• Kit
• Ornaments
• Scarves
• Accessories
• Shoes
• Coat
• More Ornaments
• Hat

Eleven down and out.  Now I can just relax for the rest of the year.  Happy New Year!

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‘Tis the Season…

…For procrastination.  Christmas is barely two weeks away and I haven’t started crafting yet. 

Luckily I don’t need to make nearly as much things this year as compared to other years thanks in part to the all the 5 a Week crafting I did.  Many of those crafts make great little gifts.

Even so, there are still a few things I need to make.  So here’s the list:

Christmas Craft List #5

• Donuts
• Skirt
• Circle Skirt
• Kit
• Ornaments
• Scarves
• Accessories
• Shoes
• Coat
• More Ornaments
• Hat

Eleven to do and only fifteen days until Christmas.  Better get moving!

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Catching Up: Bags and More Bags

The last few projects on my list were bags so it seems fitting to put them all in the same post. Plus I just wanted to get them over with so I can focus on the next big project, Christmas.  So here goes.

First up is this purse.  Some may notice it bears a great resemblance to a certain lace covered purse I made years ago (see It All Started with Goodwill).  There is a good reason for this.  A certain individual I know really likes my white lacey purse and sort of requested one just like it except for a few differences.  I figure it would make a excellent gift, maybe.

Second up is this pretty purple tote bag.  I have been badly in need of a new everyday bag as my old one was about to kick the bucket.

I used some pretty fabrics I got from SAS (see The Biggest Craft Haul Ever) and trimmed it with the same lace as the purse which also came from SAS.

At first glance it may seem like a normal tote bag, but if you look on the sides you can see a zipper.

Two zippers running all around.  These are what make this bag truly special.  Because when unzipped…

…The bag is much bigger with nearly twice the capacity. That’s right, it’s a convertible bag.

I’ve found that on some days I carry considerably more stuff than others, so much so that my old bag was being overly stuffed.  Plus on my “lighter” days, my bag seemed needlessly huge.  Having a convertible bag solves this problem.  It goes small when I travel light, and grows larger when I carry more.  Much more in fact, it can hold noticeably more than my old bag.

Another problem I had with my old bag was trying to find things in it.  With a big bag full of stuff it can be easy to lose important things in the void.  This bag solves that problem thanks to the many pockets on the inside.  Perfect places to stash my wallet, phone, lotion, pens, compacts, tiny notebooks, etc..

And there is a larger pocket for things like my tablet and such.  The lining of the bag is actually made of vinyl to make it easy to clean.  I frequently carry food or water bottles and other things that may spill.

My third bag project is a little pouch made to match the tote bag.  It has lace along the zipper and some lace for a handle to make it both pretty and easy to grab and go.

Of course it is lined with vinyl too for easy clean up and actually has a vinyl divider inside.  One side I use for makeup and the other side I use for other supplies like cough drops and tissues.  Basically things that would be handy to toss together in any purse or bag.

Here’s the updated list:

• Purse
• Bag
• Mini-bag
• Dress
• Vest
• Fleece

Six down and out.  Now time to get started on Christmas. That list will be up by tomorrow for sure.  Look forward to it.

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Wordless Wednesday: Rain or Shine?

Taken on a Sunny/Rainy day in Arizona.

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Catching Up: A Pink Dress for a Special Doll

Over the past couple months I have managed to finish a particular project from my list,  a doll dress.  Technically I finished all the projects on my list, but that will come later.

Anyway, I had been meaning to make at least one really great dress for my ball jointed doll since I first got her (see Catching Up -- A New Friend).  What’s the point in paying that much for one doll if I don’t put effort in dressing her.  But I put off making her anything other than some basic skirts and tops, until now. 

Behold the pink princess dress.  Some of you may find it very familiar since I already made post about it here on my doll blog. 

This dress was not a easy project to tackle.  I found a pattern that was supposed to fit Msd sized ball jointed dolls like mine, but it was intended for dolls with considerably more child-like figures. 

This was something I didn’t realize until after I had cut and sewn most of the bodice.  I had to spend a great deal of time taking it in and such to get it to fit right.  Then came another problem…

…the skirt.  I hadn’t notice that the skirt pattern wasn’t as full or as long as it needed to be to get the right look.  This I noticed after I had already sewn it and attached it to the bodice.  But rather than let my doll wear a dress that was too short, I added to it. 

I cut into the skirt and gathered it in a couple of spots to create a bustle look, then added some lace and bows.  Finally I used one of the circle skirts I had made before (see 5 a Week: Skirts for Dolls) as an under skirt.

The end result was a more interesting skirt design and an over all prettier dress.  It’s nice how things work out so perfectly, or at least close to perfect.

I also made a cute little matching hair accessory with a scrap of lace and some ribbon.  It ties on her head with some ribbon, bad idea.  I know it looks pretty tied, but it is a pain to actually tie the darn thing.  Her wig usually falls off at least twice each time I try.  I’m going to have find some doll size headbands to use as a base the next time I feel like making doll hair accessories.

Here’s the updated list:

• Purse
• Bag
• Mini-bag
• Dress
• Vest
• Fleece

Three down, just three to go.  They will be up tomorrow.  Look forward to it. :)

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Wordless Wednesday: Just Came From The Library

 

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Christmas on Pinterest 2015 Plus Some Gift Help

December first, Christmas is now less than a month away. (Insert appropriate, adult reaction).

Here to help with your holiday planning needs is the latest edition of my Christmas Pinterest board.  And as with all my yearly holiday pin boards, I will continue to add to it throughout the entire calendar year. 

Anyways, here it is:

My Christmas 2015 Pinterest Board

Some highlights:

• Recycled K-Cup Snowman Hat Ornaments
• Victorian Christmas Clip Art Girl with Wreath
• Minion Christmas Ornaments
• Felt Gingerbread Gift Bags

Plus, I created a new general pinterest board that could prove useful this season.  A Gift Ideas board, solely intended for crafts and other stuff that would make nice gifts for other. 

Gift Ideas Pinterest Board

Some highlights:

• 25 Things to Sew in Under 30 Minutes
• Teacup Candles
• How to Sew a Sock Monkey
• Ear Bud Holders

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Catching Up: A Late Costume Post

Now, nearly a month after Halloween, I will finally share my Halloween costume.  Just because I can, plus it came out well.

It started out with two different ideas.  First I had some pretty fabrics I got for Christmas last year that I wanted to use for something.  Second, the fabrics screamed fairy to me so that would be the way to go, except I didn’t want wings.  I was a fairy last year with some gorgeous wings that sadly got stuck in every doorway the entire evening.

So what are you if you’re a fairy without wings?

A sprite!

It came out well, just a little different from my original design in a few ways.

The skirt is made in two layers.  The first is s satin-y solid color green trimmed with lace, and the second is a floral print sheer tulle with lace and a narrow ruffle on the edges. 

I originally planned on ruffles for both layers, but decided to go with just lace for the bottom layer to save time.  I also wanted to but a large bow in back, but opted not to in order to save time.  Also I thought is might make my rear look enormous.

The wristbands came out just as I intended.  They are decorated with flowers I got at SAS awhile back (see The Biggest Craft Haul Ever).  I added long ribbons attached just under the flowers.  I thought it would look pretty hanging down from my wrists. 

The downside to these wristbands is that I didn’t wear them with the costume the first time.  I went to a party before Halloween.  I used the restroom before leaving for this party and of course took them off first to avoid getting them wet.  I realized on the way to the party that I forgot to put them back on.  At least I remembered them for Halloween night.

I made a pair of hair clips with the same flowers at the wristbands and with the same long ribbons too.  They add just the right touch to my hair and are pretty enough that I wish I had more clothing in this color.  Maybe that could be a future sewing project?

When I dress up in costume, I have this strange need to make sure my purse matches the rest of the outfit.  To ensure this, I ended up making a simple little bag with some leftover fabric.  I originally planned to make a drawstring bag because I thought it was more fitting to a sprite, but that idea went out the window.

Here’s one of the more interesting parts of my costume, the top.  It came out considerably shorter than planned.  I am normally not in the habit of wearing midriff baring tops, far from it.  But because of the way the fabrics I used behave along with the style of this top, it just looks more flattering when cut shorter.  It looked really frumpy before I cut off the bottom part.  The downside is that while last year was a particularly warm October here in Arizona, this year was quite noticeably colder.  Maybe next time I’ll make a matching cape for warmth.

This necklace added just the perfect touch.  The pendant is a little fairy door locket I got on sale at Joann.  The funny thing is that I got the chain on sale at Michael’s.  Anyway, it goes great with this costume and with just about everything else.  I’ve been wearing it almost constantly since Halloween.

I had a lot of fun wearing this costume, and I got plenty of compliments too which is always nice.  Makes me wonder what to do next year.  Is it too early to plan for that? 

Of course there are still other stuff to make this year.  Christmas is a month away, so I will be posting my list soon and working on checking it off.  Look forward to it.

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